Match splint



M. POLACSEK Feb. 22, 1949.

MATCH SPLINT Filed March 23, 1946 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 22, 194-9 iJlTED STATES PTENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to matches and in particular to the formation of splints as employed in matches of the book type.

A principal object of the invention is to provide in the splints of the match, openings which can be made at the same time that the splints are being cut and which serve to reduce the size of the head of the match by providing a space within the confines of the splint in the nature of a slot in the end of the splint, which slot is embedded in the ignition material so that the heads of the matches may be made fiatter and still use the same amount of ignition material with the result that the match head may be made less bulky.

A still further object is to provide more ignition surface at the burning end of the match in addition to a greater relative area of ignition material in contact with the splint surface so that the match will more readily ignite in wind, and stay lit in damp weather.

Other objects are to provide for an opening in the splint which extends below the ignition head so that an area of increased burning is afforded both on the material and on the splint surface; to provide a fork ended match splint that sup ports combustion longer and makes for a larger flame, particularly in the wide splints employed today in advertising and novelty matches; to provide a notched end in the splint which provides more surface for impregnation by the paraffin and ignition material, and one which may be formed to hold the ignition material firmly on the splint to prevent accidental flying of fragments thereof; and to provide a forked end on the splint which will ignite more readily.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a match book, in which my invention is incorporated in the splints.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in perspective showing the modified or forked end of a splint.

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of a match showing the arrangement of the notch in the splint within the ignition head.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3 and illustrates diagrammatically the possi- 2 bility of decreasing the thickness of the head by the use of the forked end of the splint.

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation of a match, a part of the head thereof being shown in section to illustrate the use of a forked end on the splint, the notch of which extends below the ignition head.

Fig. 6 is a View in elevation of a modified form of match in which holding means is provided for anchoring the ignition head in place.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6 further showing the modification.

Fig. 8 is a View in perspective showing the oppositely turned ends of the end of a splint constructed in accordance with the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, It indicates the cover or wrapper in which a book of matches is stapled as at II, to provide individual match splints i2 formed in the usual comb 13 of strip material employed in the manufacture of the matches. In my improved splint I2 as shown particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, I provide at the upper end of the splint i2 and extending downwardly from the top edge thereof, a V-shaped notch i4 about which is arranged to be molded or otherwise formed the head i5 of the usual ignition compound.

The notch l4 presents side surfaces 16, the area of which increases the ignition surface, and in addition as shown in Fig. 4, provides an area I? between the forked ends id of the splint l2 in which the ignition material l5 will form during the molding of the head.

As indicated in outline as at 20 in Fig. 4, the head i5 of the match would normally have a contour on an uncut splint of the form indicated by said outline, but through the use of my notched splint the ignition material and the notch M of the splint will form itself into a head of smaller dimensions or of less thickness as indicated in Fig. 4 than would a like amount of material of the head applied to an unnotched splint, with the result that in book matches, in which the available number of matches may be about twenty, and in which the heads are arranged in somewhat overlapping relation, a considerable decrease in the thickness of the package is obtained.

In addition to the decreased thickness of the head of the match, the ignition material contacts a greater area of the splint and thus better combustion is obtained and the splint takes fire more quickly due to the ignition action of the material that surrounds the forked ends l8 of said splint.

Referring to the form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 5, I provide in the splint 2, a notch 2| that is deeper than the notch It and extends below the ignition head l5 as at 22 to provide an open ignition area 23 or fiue so that the lower portion of the head l5 will become more quickly ignited and thus ignite the inner portions of the ignition material where they engage the inside surfaces of the notch 2|.

Referring to the form of the invention illustrated in- Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the splint l2 may be notched in V shape as at 25 so that the notch lies wholly within the ignition material $5, the upper forked ends 25 of the splint being turned in opposite directions as at 2'5 to provide holding means which are imbedded as shown in Fig. 7 in the substances of the ignition head with the result that When the match is struck on the usual abrasive surface, these turned over portions 2? will act to maintain the mass intact and prevent dangerous' disruption thereof. The V-notch 25 may extend as shown in outline as at 28 below the material of the head 85.

While I have described the invention as being particularly adapted for the cardboard type of splint and for use in connection with book matches, it is to be understood that it may be used in connection with wooden matches.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A match packet comprising a cardslit to provide single splints, each having head of igni=- tion material formed on the upper end thereof and a V-shaped notch cut downwardly from the upper end of each splint, to define forked portions turned in opposite directions at their terminal ends to provide a pocket within the splint for the ignitionmaterial of the head and a hold ing means for said material whereby the thicl ness of the head is less than the thickness of a head of an equal amount of material applied to an unnotched splint and the material is held against disruption when the head is ignited.

2. A match packet comprising a card slit to provide single splints, each having a head of ignition material formed on the upper end thereof and a V-shaped notch cut downwardly from the upper end of each splint, extending below the lower edge of the head of ignition material to provide a lateral opening through the splint beneath said head, providing a pocket for the reception of some of the material of said ignition head, whereby the thickness of the latter is less than the thickness of a head containing a like amount of material applied to an unnotched splint, and the upper ends of each of said splints defined by the notch being bent in opposite directions to provide head retaining means.

3. A match including a splint having a V-shaped notch opening formed in one'end thereof and dividing the end into separate spaced portions having their free ends bent laterally in 0pposite directions forming separate stop members,

and a match head of friction ignitable material enclosing the said one of said splint and the v shaped opening thereof and completely filling said opening and secured against endwise displacement on said end by said laterally disposed stop members.

l. A match including a splint having a .l-shaped notch opening formed in one end thereof'and dividing the end into separate spaced portions having their free ends bent laterally in opposite directions forming separate stop members, and a match head of friction ignitable material enclosing the said one end of said splint and nearly completely enclosing the V-shaped opening thereof and secured against endwise displacement on said end by said laterally disposed stop members, the inner end of the !-shaped notch opening extending inwardly through the match splint and beyond the ignitable match head to permit air to flow through the match splint against said head.

' MAURICE POLACSEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 183,258 French Oct. 17, 1876 491,204 Bowman Feb. 7; 1893 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 171,050 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1921 

